From the Bookshelf of 2025 Reading Challenge…

The Lost Apothecary

Sarah Penner

Start date: October 1, 2021

Finish date: October 31, 2021

Discussion: October 2025 Group Read

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Showing 2 of -3 topics — 104 comments total

October 2025 Group Read

Weyward: Pre-Reading Discussion
By Winter , Group Reads · 4 posts · 26 views

last updated Sep 27, 2025 11:30AM

Weyward: Reviews by 2025 Reading Challengers
By Winter , Group Reads · 1 post · 16 views

last updated Sep 21, 2025 03:59AM

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What Members Thought

Mar 07, 2021 Eileen rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: mystery, thriller, 2021, audiobook, 2021genrechallenge, historical-fiction, netgalley-arc, 2021-ng-group-challenge, 2021netgalleychallenge

4.5 stars

I both listened and read this book and the narration was done by three different narrators and two of them were pretty good, but the third one, the voice of Nella, had a tendency to grate on me. Thinking back, I think the low, gravelly voice probably fit who she was, but it was kind of annoying at times.

The story was told from three points of view, Nella and Eliza in 1791 and Caroline in present-day London. For me, I was captured by the cover, but I honestly didn't know what to expect. ...more

3 likes · Like · see review

Apr 25, 2021 Jen Ciccotto rated it liked it

Shelves: 2021-reads

The premise of this book pulled me in, but unfortunately the story underdelivered for me. The idea was very unique, the execution fell a bit flat.

The dual timelines were interesting, but I found Caroline's story to be a bit weak and her motives for keeping secrets and doing certain things did not make sense. Nella and Eliza's stories were more interesting but there was still something lacking. The writing style was very bland. Even the exciting moments seemed dulled in a way.

Overall, it was a ...more

1 like · Like · see review

Mar 18, 2021 Jasmine rated it it was amazing

Shelves: american, book-of-the-month, once-upon-a-bookclub

So I’ve noticed that I’m really enjoying all the books I’m reading now, but when I look at my old reviews I was very judgmental. This inconsistency shall remain and I will choose to continue to be happy and like things.

I also appear to have lost all ability to identify genre or they’ve gotten harder to identify. All the meaningful characters here are women, does that make this women’s fiction? That was true of the Southern Book Club which was written by a man. Surely that wasn’t women’s fiction So I’ve noticed that I’m really enjoying all the books I’m reading now, but when I look at my old reviews I was very judgmental. This inconsistency shall remain and I will choose to continue to be happy and like things.

I also appear to have lost all ability to identify genre or they’ve gotten harder to identify. All the meaningful characters here are women, does that make this women’s fiction? That was true of the Southern Book Club which was written by a man. Surely that wasn’t women’s fiction?

There is this American idea that England is a magical historical place. A place where you can wonder into a farie circle or stumble into untouched history. I doubt this is actually a thing people “can” do. But on the other hand, one of my main dreams is to sleep in a castle in Scotland because if there are any ghosts in the world that’s where they would be.

This book is about that magic. It’s also about the same thing as the Southern Book Club’s Guide to Vampire Slaying the ultimate lack of power in being female. From the history where woman were property, to the present day where they toil under the assumption that all sacrifices will be made by the woman for the man. That she will sacrifice for children, that his job is more important, that her dreams aren’t important unless she is done raising children. It’s statistically true that single women tend to be a bit more successful than single men. Married woman are much less successful than married men. Just a fun fact for you to enjoy.

I have not lived through a lot of this. Let’s just say a lot of why I’m single is because I didn’t want anything to do with that. That doesn’t mean I don’t identify with Caroline, Eliza and Nella. It doesn’t mean I don’t have moments where I wonder about magic and where all of this could have ended up if things were different.

I have told you very little about the plot here, but hopefully I’ve invoked the feeling of the book. The ambiance. Even just a little. Enough for you to pick it up and fully feel the resonance. ...more

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Sep 06, 2021 Melissa rated it it was ok

Read Claire Smith’s review. I have never laughed so hard reading a review, but she is spot on!

At the risk of sounding pretentious, I had this book pegged on page 1 with her incorrect use of who/whom. The 2 star rating is a result of the premise exceeding expectations.

This author had a great idea, but failed to execute effectively. Don’t reveal a mystery with 1/3 of the book to go and have the protagonist spend the end “figuring out” the mystery.

Also, you don’t need to spend the final pages spel ...more

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Apr 08, 2022 Meera rated it it was ok · review of another edition

Shelves: audiobook, historical-fiction, scribd, book-of-the-month, bought2021

I kept thinking that this book would get more interesting and have more depth. It didn't. It was just an ok read. I didn't hate it and since it kept my interest in the car, I will give it a 2. The current timeline was the most interesting because I wanted to see what choices she will end up making. The characters from the past were less interesting. If the characters had been developed better and had more believable storylines, I would have enjoyed this more. ...more

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Feb 14, 2022 Angela Holt rated it really liked it

Shelves: 2022-read

3.5 stars. I REALLY enjoyed this book except the ending really didn't satisfy me or feel in character for Caroline. It would have been 5 stars without the stupid end. I'd love to see this as a tv show with the ending fixed. ...more

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